Patna: Discussions are on in BJP to select its next Bihar unit chief who can help steer the party's boat in the event of major ally JD(U) walking out of the alliance before the next general elections.

The selection of Bihar unit president has become important in view of JD(U)'s threat to walk out of the coalition if the BJP pitched for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate which is not acceptable to state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the JD(U).

Taking into consideration the complexity of the issue, top BJP leaders from Bihar have been called to Delhi for consultation by the central leadership to finalise the name of the next state unit BJP president.

Confirming the development, incumbent state president C P Thakur said he and other state leaders like Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi were asked to come to Delhi for consultation on January 10 for election of the next Bihar unit chief.

Besides Thakur and Modi, former state unit chief Nand Kishore Yadav, Ashwini Choubey, Chandra Mohan Rai, Giriraj Singh, Janardhan Singh Sigriwal (all BJP minister in the NDA government) and the state BJP secretary (organisation) Nagendraji will participate in the deliberation with central leadership led by the national president Nitin Gadkari.

There are conflicting opinion within the state BJP over its next leader. A section of partymen feel that minister Giriraj Singh or Thukur, both known for talking tough against Nitish Kumar, would be suitable choice for the post.

Another section discounted chance of a break up with the trusted ally JD(U) and considers leaders like Radhamohan Singh and Mangal Pandey, known to be close to Sushil Modi who wants the coalition to continue, are suitable candidates to keep the boat of the BJP and the JD(U) afloat.